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RICKRIORDAN
THESTAFFofSERAPIS
AnAnnabethChase/SadieKaneAdventure
PUFFIN
Contents
TheStaffofSerapis
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
RickRiordanisthecreatoroftheaward-winning,bestsellingPercyJacksonseriesandthethrillingKaneChroniclesandHeroesofOlympusseries.
AccordingtoRick,theideaforthePercyJacksonstorieswasinspiredbyhissonHaley.ButrumourhasitthatCampHalf-Bloodactuallyexists,andRickspendshissummersthererecordingtheadventuresofyoungdemigods.Somebelievethat,toavoidamasspanicamongthemortalpopulation,hewasforcedtoswearontheRiverStyxtopresentPercyJackson’sstoryasfiction.RicklivesinBoston,Massachussetts,(apartfromhissummersonHalf-BloodHill)withhiswifeandtwosons.
TolearnmoreaboutRickandthePercyJacksonandKaneChroniclesseries,visit:www.rickriordanmythmaster.co.uk
BOOKSBYRICKRIORDAN
ACarterKane/PercyJacksonAdventureebook:THESONOFSOBEK
ThePercyJacksonseries:PERCYJACKSONANDTHELIGHTNINGTHIEFPERCYJACKSONANDTHESEAOFMONSTERSPERCYJACKSONANDTHETITAN’SCURSE
PERCYJACKSONANDTHEBATTLEOFTHELABYRINTHPERCYJACKSONANDTHELASTOLYMPIAN
PERCYJACKSON:THEDEMIGODFILES
FormoreaboutPercyJackson,try:PERCYJACKSON:THEULTIMATEGUIDE
TheHeroesofOlympusseries:THELOSTHERO
THESONOFNEPTUNETHEMARKOFATHENATHEHOUSEOFHADES
HEROESOFOLYMPUS:THEDEMIGODDIARIES
Don’tmiss:THEBLOODOFOLYMPUS
TheKaneChroniclesseries:THEREDPYRAMID
THETHRONEOFFIRETHESERPENT’SSHADOW
FormoreabouttheKaneChronicles,try:THEKANECHRONICLES:SURVIVALGUIDE
www.rickriordanmythmaster.co.uk
TheStaffofSerapis
UNTILSHESPOTTEDthetwo-headedmonster,Annabethdidn’tthinkherdaycouldgetanyworse.She’dspentallmorningdoingcatch-upworkforschool.(Skippingclasseson
aregularbasistosavetheworldfrommonstersandrogueGreekgodswasseriouslymessingupherGPA.)Thenshe’dturneddownamoviewithherboyfriend,Percy,andsomeoftheirfriendssoshecouldtryoutforasummerinternshipatalocalarchitecturefirm.Unfortunately,herbrainhadbeenmush.Shewasprettysureshe’dflubbedtheinterview.Finally,aroundfourintheafternoon,she’dtrudgedthroughWashington
SquareParkonherwaytothesubwaystationandsteppedinafreshpileofcowmanure.Sheglaredatthesky.‘Hera!’Theotherpedestriansgaveherfunnylooks,butAnnabethdidn’tcare.She
wastiredofthegoddess’spracticaljokes.AnnabethhaddonesomanyquestsforHera,butstilltheQueenofHeavenleftpresentsfromhersacredanimalrightwhereAnnabethcouldstepinthem.ThegoddessmusthavehadaherdofstealthcowspatrollingManhattan.BythetimeAnnabethmadeittotheWestFourthStreetstation,shewas
crankyandexhaustedandjustwantedtocatchtheFtrainuptowntoPercy’splace.Itwastoolateforthemovie,butmaybetheycouldgetdinnerorsomething.Thenshespottedthemonster.Annabethhadseensomecrazystuffbefore,butthisbeastiedefinitelymade
her‘WhatWeretheGodsThinking?’list.Itlookedlikealionandawolflashedtogether,wedgedbutt-firstintoahermit-crabshell.
Theshellitselfwasaroughbrownspiral,likeawafflecone–aboutsixfeetlongwithajaggedseamdownthemiddle,asifithadbeencrackedinhalf,thengluedbacktogether.Sproutingfromthetopweretheforelegsandheadofagreywolfontheleft,agolden-manedlionontheright.Thetwoanimalsdidn’tlookhappyaboutsharingashell.Theydraggedit
behindthemdowntheplatform,weavingleftandrightastheytriedtopullindifferentdirections.Theysnarledatoneanotherinirritation.Thenbothofthemfrozeandsniffedtheair.Commutersstreamedpast.Mostmanoeuvredroundthemonsterandignored
it.Othersjustfrownedorlookedannoyed.AnnabethhadseentheMistinactionmanytimesbefore,butshewasalways
amazedbyhowthemagicalveilcoulddistortmortalvision,makingeventhefiercestmonsterlooklikesomethingexplainable–astraydog,ormaybeahomelesspersonwrappedinasleepingbag.Themonster’snostrilsflared.BeforeAnnabethcoulddecidewhattodo,both
headsturnedandglareddirectlyather.Annabeth’shandwentforherknife.Thensherememberedshedidn’thave
one.Atthemoment,hermostdeadlyweaponwasherbackpack,whichwasloadedwithheavyarchitecturebooksfromthepubliclibrary.Shesteadiedherbreathing.Themonsterstoodaboutthirtyfeetaway.Takingonalion-wolf-crabinthemiddleofacrowdedsubwaystationwasn’t
herfirstchoice,but,ifshehadto,shewould.ShewasachildofAthena.Shestareddownthebeast,lettingitknowshemeantbusiness.‘Bringiton,Crabby,’shesaid.‘Ihopeyou’vegotahightoleranceforpain.’Thelionandwolfheadsbaredtheirfangs.Thenthefloorrumbled.Airrushed
throughthetunnelasatrainarrived.ThemonstersnarledatAnnabeth.Shecould’veswornithadalookofregret
initseyes,asifthinking,Iwouldlovetoripyoutotinypieces,butIhavebusinesselsewhere.ThenCrabbyturnedandboundedoff,draggingitshugeshellbehind.It
disappearedupthestairs,headingfortheAtrain.Foramoment,Annabethwastoostunnedtomove.She’drarelyseena
monsterleaveademigodalonelikethat.Giventhechance,monstersalmostalwaysattacked.
Ifthistwo-headedhermitcrabhadsomethingmoreimportanttodothankillher,Annabethwantedtoknowwhatitwas.Shecouldn’tjustletthemonstergo,pursuingitsnefariousplansandridingpublictransportationforfree.SheglancedwistfullyattheFtrainthatwould’vetakenheruptowntoPercy’s
place.Thensheranupthestairsafterthemonster.
Annabethjumpedonboardjustasthedoorswereclosing.Thetrainpulledawayfromtheplatformandplungedintodarkness.Overheadlightsflickered.Commutersrockedbackandforth.Everyseatwasfilled.Adozenmorepassengersstood,swayingastheyclungtothehandrailsandpoles.Annabethcouldn’tseeCrabbyuntilsomebodyatthefrontyelled,‘Watchit,
freak!’Thewolf-lion-crabwaspushingitswayforward,snarlingatthemortals,but
thecommutersjustactedregular-New-York-subwayannoyed.Maybetheysawthemonsterasarandomdrunkguy.Annabethfollowed.AsCrabbyprisedopenthedoorstothenextcarandclamberedthrough,
Annabethnoticeditsshellwasglowingfaintly.Haditbeendoingthatbefore?Aroundthemonsterswirledredneonsymbols
–Greekletters,astrologicalsignsandpicturewriting.Egyptianhieroglyphs.AchillspreadbetweenAnnabeth’sshoulderblades.Sheremembered
somethingPercyhadtoldherafewweeksago–aboutanencounterhe’dhadthatseemedsoimpossibleshe’dassumedhewasjoking.Butnow…Shepushedthroughthecrowd,followingCrabbyintothenextcar.Thecreature’sshellwasdefinitelyglowingbrighternow.AsAnnabethgot
closer,shestartedtogetnauseous.Shefeltawarmtuggingsensationinhergut,asifshehadafishhookinherbellybutton,pullinghertowardsthemonster.Annabethtriedtosteadyhernerves.Shehaddevotedherlifetostudying
AncientGreekspirits,beastsanddaimons.Knowledgewashermostimportantweapon.Butthistwo-headedcrabthing–shehadnoframeofreferenceforit.Herinternalcompasswasspinninguselessly.Shewishedshehadbackup.Shehadhercellphone,but,evenifshecouldget
receptioninthetunnel,whomwouldshecall?Mostotherdemigodsdidn’tcarry
phones.Thesignalsattractedmonsters.Percywaswayuptown.ThemajorityofherfriendswerebackatCampHalf-BloodonthenorthshoreofLongIsland.Crabbykeptshovingitswaytowardsthefrontofthetrain.BythetimeAnnabethcaughtupwithitinthenextcar,themonster’saurawas
sostrongthateventhemortalshadstartedtonotice.Manygaggedandhunchedoverintheirseats,asifsomeonehadopenedalockerfullofspoiledlunches.Othersfaintedontothefloor.Annabethfeltsoqueasyshewantedtoretreat,butthefishhooksensationkept
tuggingathernavel,reelinghertowardsthemonster.ThetrainrattledintotheFultonStreetstation.Assoonasthedoorsopened,
everycommuterwhowasstillconsciousstumbledout.Crabby’swolfheadsnappedatonelady,catchingherbaginitsteethasshetriedtoflee.‘Hey!’Annabethyelled.Themonsterletthewomango.BothsetsofeyesfixedonAnnabethasifthinking,Doyouhaveadeathwish?Thenitthrewbackitsheadsandroaredinharmony.ThesoundhitAnnabeth
likeanicepickbetweentheeyes.Thewindowsofthetrainshattered.Mortalswhohadpassedoutwerestartledbacktoconsciousness.Somemanagedtocrawloutofthedoors.Otherstumbledthroughbrokenwindows.Throughblurredvision,Annabethsawthemonstercrouchedonits
mismatchedforearms,readytopounce.Timeslowed.Shewasdimlyawareoftheshattereddoorsclosing,thenow-
emptytrainpullingoutofthestation.Hadtheconductornotrealizedwhatwashappening?Wasthetrainrunningonautopilot?Onlytenfeetawayfromitnow,Annabethnoticednewdetailsaboutthe
monster.Itsredauraseemedbrightestalongtheseaminitsshell.GlowingGreeklettersandEgyptianhieroglyphsspewedoutlikevolcanicgasfromadeep-seafissure.Thelion’sleftforearmwasshavedatthewrist,tattooedwithaseriesofsmallblackstripes.Stuckinsidethewolf’sleftearwasanorangepricetagthatread$99.99.Annabethgrippedthestrapofherbackpack.Shewasreadytoswingitatthe
monster,butitwouldn’tmakemuchofaweapon.Instead,shereliedonherusualtacticwhenfacingastrongerenemy.Shestartedtalking.
‘You’remadeoftwodifferentparts,’shesaid.‘You’relike…piecesofastatuethatcametolife.You’vebeenfusedtogether?’Itwastotalconjecture,butthelion’sgrowlmadeAnnabeththinkshe’dhitthe
mark.Thewolfnippedatthelion’scheekasiftellingittoshutup.‘You’renotusedtoworkingtogether,’Annabethguessed.‘MrLion,you’ve
gotanIDcodeonyourleg.Youwereanartefactinamuseum.MaybetheMet?’ThelionroaredsoloudlyAnnabeth’skneeswobbled.‘Iguessthat’sayes.Andyou,MrWolf…thatstickeronyourear…you
wereforsaleinsomeantiquesshop?’Thewolfsnarledandtookasteptowardsher.Meanwhile,thetrainkepttunnellingundertheEastRiver.Coldwindswirled
throughthebrokenwindowsandmadeAnnabeth’steethchatter.Allherinstinctstoldhertorun,butherjointsfeltasiftheyweredissolving.
Themonster’saurakeptgettingbrighter,fillingtheairwithmistysymbolsandbloodylight.‘You…you’regettingstronger,’Annabethnoted.‘You’reheading
somewhere,aren’tyou?Andthecloseryouget–’Themonster’sheadsroaredagaininharmony.Awaveofredenergyrippled
throughthecar.Annabethhadtofighttostayconscious.Crabbysteppedcloser.Itsshellexpanded,thefissuredownthecentreburning
likemolteniron.‘Holdup,’Annabethcroaked.‘I–Igetitnow.You’renotfinishedyet.You’re
lookingforanotherpiece.Athirdhead?’Themonsterhalted.Itseyesglintedwarily,asiftosay,Haveyoubeen
readingmydiary?Annabeth’scouragerose.Finallyshewasgettingthemeasureofherenemy.
She’dmetlotsofthree-headedcreaturesbefore.Whenitcametomythicalbeings,threewassortofamagicnumber.Itmadesensethatthismonsterwouldhaveanotherhead.Crabbyhadbeensomekindofstatue,dividedintopieces.Nowsomethinghad
awakenedit.Itwastryingtoputitselfbacktogether.Annabethdecidedshecouldn’tletthathappen.Thoseglowingredhieroglyphs
andGreeklettersfloatedarounditliketheburningcordofafuse,radiating
magicthatfeltfundamentallywrong,asthoughitwereslowlydissolvingAnnabeth’scellstructure.‘You’renotexactlyaGreekmonster,areyou?’sheventured.‘Areyoufrom
Egypt?’Crabbydidn’tlikethatcomment.Itbareditsfangsandpreparedtospring.‘Whoa,boy,’shesaid.‘You’renotatfullstrengthyet,areyou?Attackme
now,andyou’lllose.Afterall,youtwodon’ttrusteachother.’Theliontilteditsheadandgrowled.Annabethfeignedalookofshock.‘MrLion!HowcanyousaythataboutMr
Wolf?’Thelionblinked.Thewolfglancedatthelionandsnarledsuspiciously.‘And,MrWolf!’Annabethgasped.‘Youshouldn’tusethatkindoflanguage
aboutyourfriend!’Thetwoheadsturnedoneachother,snappingandhowling.Themonster
staggeredasitsforearmswentindifferentdirections.Annabethknewshe’donlyboughtherselfafewseconds.Sherackedher
brain,tryingtofigureoutwhatthiscreaturewasandhowshecoulddefeatit,butitdidn’tmatchanythingshecouldrememberfromherlessonsatCampHalf-Blood.Sheconsideredgettingbehindit,maybetryingtobreakitsshell,butbefore
shecouldthetrainslowed.TheypulledintotheHighStreetstation,thefirstBrooklynstop.Theplatformwasstrangelyempty,butaflashoflightbytheexitstairwell
caughtAnnabeth’seye.Ayoungblondegirlinwhiteclotheswasswingingawoodenstaff,tryingtohitastrangeanimalthatweavedaroundherlegs,barkingangrily.Fromtheshouldersup,thecreaturelookedlikeablackLabradorretriever,butitsbackendwasnothingbutaroughtaperedpoint,likeacalcifiedtadpoletail.Annabethhadtimetothink:Thethirdpiece.Thentheblondegirlwhackedthedogacrossitssnout.Herstaffflaredwith
goldenlight,andthedoghurtledbackwards–straightthroughabrokenwindowintothefarendofAnnabeth’ssubwaycar.
Theblondegirlfollowedit.Sheleapedinthroughtheclosingdoorsjustasthetrainpulledoutofthestation.Foramomenttheyalljuststoodthere–twogirlsandtwomonsters.Annabethstudiedtheothergirlattheoppositeendofthecar,tryingtoassess
herthreatlevel.Thenewcomerworewhitelinentrousersandamatchingblouse,kindoflikea
karateuniform.Hersteel-tippedcombatbootslookedliketheycouldinflictdamageinafight.Slungoverherleftshoulderwasabluenylonbackpackwithacurvedivorystick–aboomerang?–hangingfromthestrap.Butthegirl’smostintimidatingweaponwasherwhitewoodenstaff–aboutfivefeetlong,carvedwiththeheadofaneagle,thewholelengthglowinglikeCelestialbronze.Annabethmetthegirl’seyes,andafeelingofdéjàvurockedher.KarateGirlcouldn’thavebeenolderthanthirteen.Hereyeswerebrilliant
blue,likeachildofZeus’s.Herlongblondehairwasstreakedwithpurplehighlights.ShelookedverymuchlikeachildofAthena–readyforcombat,quickandalertandfearless.Annabethfeltasifshewereseeingherselffromfouryearsago,aroundthetimeshefirstmetPercyJackson.ThenKarateGirlspokeandshatteredtheillusion.‘Right.’Sheblewastrandofpurplehairoutofherface.‘Becausemyday
wasn’tbarmyenoughalready.’British,Annabeththought.Butshedidn’thavetimetoponderthat.Thedog-tadpoleandCrabbyhadbeenstandinginthecentreofthecar,about
fifteenfeetapart,staringateachotherinamazement.Nowtheyovercametheirshock.Thedoghowled–atriumphantcry,likeIfoundyou!Andthelion-wolf-crablungedtomeetit.‘Stopthem!’Annabethyelled.SheleapedontoCrabby’sback,anditsfrontpawscollapsedfromtheextra
weight.Theothergirlyelledsomethinglike:‘Mar!’Aseriesofgoldenhieroglyphsblazedintheair:
Thedogcreaturestaggeredbackwards,retchingasifithadswallowedabilliardball.AnnabethstruggledtokeepCrabbydown,butthebeastwastwiceherweight.
Itpusheduponitsforelegs,tryingtothrowher.Bothheadsturnedtosnapatherface.Fortunatelyshe’dharnessedplentyofwildpegasiatCampHalf-Blood.She
managedtokeepherbalancewhileslippingoffherbackpack.Shesmackedtwentypoundsofarchitecturebooksintothelion’shead,thenloopedhershoulderstrapthroughthewolf’smawandyankeditlikeabit.Meanwhile,thetrainburstintothesunlight.Theyrattledalongtheelevated
railsofQueens,freshairblowingthroughthebrokenwindowsandglitteringbitsofglassdancingacrosstheseats.Outofthecornerofhereye,Annabethsawtheblackdogshakeoffitsfitof
retching.ItlungedatKarateGirl,whowhippedoutherivoryboomerangandblastedthemonsterwithanothergoldenflash.Annabethwishedshecouldsummongoldenflashes.Allshehadwasastupid
backpack.ShedidherbesttosubdueCrabby,butthemonsterseemedtogetstrongerbythesecondwhilethething’sredauraweakenedAnnabeth.Herheadfeltstuffedwithcotton.Herstomachtwisted.Shelosttrackoftimeasshewrestledthecreature.Sheonlyknewshecouldn’t
letitcombinewiththatdog-headedthing.Ifthemonsterturnedintoacompletethree-headedwhatever-it-was,itmightbeimpossibletostop.ThedoglungedagainatKarateGirl.Thistimeitknockedherdown.
Annabeth,distracted,losthergriponthecrabmonster,anditthrewheroff–slammingherheadintotheedgeofaseat.Herearsrangasthecreatureroaredintriumph.Awaveofred-hotenergy
rippledthroughthecar.Thetrainpitchedsideways,andAnnabethwentweightless.
‘Upyoucome,’saidagirl’svoice.‘Wehavetomove.’Annabethopenedhereyes.Theworldwasspinning.Emergencysirenswailed
inthedistance.Shewaslyingflatonherbackinsomepricklyweeds.Theblondegirlfrom
thetrainleanedoverher,tuggingonherarm.Annabethmanagedtositup.Shefeltasifsomeonewashammeringhotnails
intoherribcage.Ashervisioncleared,sherealizedshewasluckytobealive.Aboutfiftyyardsaway,thesubwaytrainhadtoppledoffthetrack.Thecarslaysidewaysinabroken,steamingzigzagofwreckagethatremindedAnnabethofadrakoncarcass(unfortunately,she’dseenseveralofthose).Shespottednowoundedmortals.Hopefullythey’dallfledthetrainatthe
FultonStreetstation.Butstill–whatadisaster.Annabethrecognizedwhereshewas:RockawayBeach.Afewhundredfeetto
theleft,vacantplotsandbentchain-linkfencesgavewaytoayellowsandbeachdottedwithtarandtrash.Theseachurnedunderacloudysky.ToAnnabeth’sright,pastthetraintracks,stoodarowofapartmenttowerssodilapidatedtheymight’vebeenmake-believebuildingsfashionedfromoldrefrigeratorboxes.‘Yoo-hoo.’KarateGirlshookhershoulder.‘Iknowyou’reprobablyinshock,
butweneedtogo.Idon’tfancybeingquestionedbythepolicewiththisthingintow.’Thegirlscootedtoherleft.Behindheronthebrokentarmac,theblack
Labradormonsterfloppedlikeafishoutofwater,itsmuzzleandpawsboundinglowinggoldenrope.Annabethstaredattheyoungergirl.Roundherneckglintedachainwitha
silveramulet–asymbollikeanEgyptianankhcrossedwithagingerbreadman.
Athersidelayherstaffandherivoryboomerang–bothcarvedwithhieroglyphsandpicturesofstrange,veryun-Greekmonsters.
‘Whoareyou?’Annabethdemanded.Asmiletuggedatthecornerofthegirl’smouth.‘UsuallyIdon’tgivemy
nametostrangers.Magicalvulnerabilitiesandallthat.ButIhavetorespectsomeonewhofightsatwo-headedmonsterwithnothingbutarucksack.’Sheofferedherhand.‘SadieKane.’‘AnnabethChase.’Theyshook.‘Lovelytomeetyou,Annabeth,’Sadiesaid.‘Now,let’stakeourdogfora
walk,shallwe?’
Theyleftjustintime.Withinminutes,emergencyvehicleshadsurroundedthetrainwreck,anda
crowdofspectatorsgatheredfromthenearbyapartmentbuildings.Annabethfeltmorenauseousthanever.Redspotsdancedbeforehereyes,but
shehelpedSadiedragthedogcreaturebackwardsbyitstailintothesanddunes.Sadieseemedtotakepleasureinpullingthemonsteroverasmanyrocksandbrokenbottlesasshecouldfind.Thebeastsnarledandwriggled.Itsredauraglowedmorebrightly,whilethe
goldenropedimmed.NormallyAnnabethlikedwalkingonthebeach.Theoceanremindedherof
Percy.Buttodayshewashungryandexhausted.Herbackpackfeltheavierbythemoment,andthedogcreature’smagicmadeherwanttohurl.Also,RockawayBeachwasadismalplace.Amassivehurricanehadblown
throughmorethanayearago,andthedamagewasstillobvious.Someoftheapartmentbuildingsinthedistancehadbeenreducedtoshells,theirboarded-upwindowsandbreeze-blockwallscoveredingraffiti.Rottedtimber,chunksoftarmacandtwistedmetallitteredthebeach.Thepylonsofadestroyedpierjuttedupoutofthewater.Theseaitselfgnawedresentfullyattheshoreasiftosay,Don’tignoreme.Icanalwayscomebackandfinishthejob.Finallytheyreachedaderelictice-creamtruckhalfsunkeninthedunes.
Paintedontheside,fadedpicturesoflong-losttastytreatsmadeAnnabeth’sstomachhowlinprotest.‘Gottastop,’shemuttered.
Shedroppedthedogmonsterandstaggeredovertothetruck,thensliddownwithherbackagainstthepassenger’sdoor.Sadiesatcross-legged,facingher.Sherummagedaroundinherownbackpack
andbroughtoutacork-stopperedceramicvial.‘Here.’ShehandedittoAnnabeth.‘It’syummy.Drink.’Annabethstudiedthevialwarily.Itfeltheavyandwarm,asifitwerefullof
hotcoffee.‘Uh…thiswon’tunleashanygoldenflashesofka-baminmyface?’Sadiesnorted.‘It’sjustahealingpotion,silly.Afriendofmine,Jaz,brewsthe
bestintheworld.’Annabethstillhesitated.She’dsampledpotionsbefore,brewedbythe
childrenofHecate.Usuallytheytastedlikepond-scumsoup,butatleasttheyweremadetoworkondemigods.Whateverwasinthisvial,itdefinitelywasn’t.‘I’mnotsureIshouldtry,’shesaid.‘I’m…notlikeyou.’‘Nooneislikeme,’Sadieagreed.‘Myamazingnessisunique.Butifyou
meanyou’renotamagician,well,Icanseethat.Usuallywefightwithstaffandwand.’Shepattedthecarvedwhitepoleandtheivoryboomeranglyingnexttoher.‘Still,Ithinkmypotionsshouldworkonyou.Youwrestledamonster.Yousurvivedthattrainwreck.Youcan’tbenormal.’Annabethlaughedweakly.Shefoundtheothergirl’sbrashnesssortof
refreshing.‘No,I’mdefinitelynotnormal.I’mademigod.’‘Ah.’Sadietappedherfingersonhercurvedwand.‘Sorry,that’sanewoneon
me.Ademongod?’‘Demigod,’Annabethcorrected.‘Halfgod,halfmortal.’‘Oh,right.’Sadieexhaled,clearlyrelieved.‘I’vehostedIsisinmyheadquite
afewtimes.Who’syourspecialfriend?’‘My–no.Idon’thostanybody.MymotherisaGreekgoddess,Athena.’‘Yourmother.’‘Yeah.’‘Agoddess.AGreekgoddess.’‘Yeah.’Annabethnoticedthathernewfriendhadgonepale.‘Iguessyou
don’thavethatkindofthing,um,whereyoucomefrom.’‘Brooklyn?’Sadiemused.‘No.Idon’tthinkso.OrLondon.OrLosAngeles.I
don’trecallmeetingGreekdemigodsinanyofthoseplaces.Still,whenonehas
dealtwithmagicalbaboons,goddesscatsanddwarfsinSpeedos,onecan’tbesurprisedveryeasily.’Annabethwasn’tsureshe’dheardright.‘DwarfsinSpeedos?’‘Mmm.’Sadieglancedatthedogmonster,stillwrithinginitsgoldenbonds.
‘Buthere’stherub.Afewmonthsagomymumgavemeawarning.Shetoldmetobewareofothergodsandothertypesofmagic.’ThevialinAnnabeth’shandsseemedtogrowwarmer.‘Othergods.You
mentionedIsis.She’stheEgyptiangoddessofmagic.But…she’snotyourmom?’‘No,’Sadiesaid.‘Imean,yes.IsisisthegoddessofEgyptianmagic.Butshe’s
notmymum.Mymum’saghost.Well…shewasamagicianintheHouseofLife,likeme,butthenshedied,so–’‘Justasec.’Annabeth’sheadthrobbedsobadlyshefigurednothingcould
makeitworse.Sheuncorkedthepotionanddrankitdown.She’dbeenexpectingpond-scumconsommé,butitactuallytastedlikewarm
applejuice.Instantly,hervisioncleared.Herstomachsettled.‘Wow,’shesaid.‘Toldyou.’Sadiesmirked.‘Jazisquitetheapothecary.’‘Soyouweresaying…HouseofLife.Egyptianmagic.You’relikethekid
myboyfriendmet.’Sadie’ssmileeroded.‘Yourboyfriend…metsomeonelikeme?Another
magician?’Afewfeetaway,thedogcreaturesnarledandstruggled.Sadiedidn’tappear
concerned,butAnnabethwasworriedabouthowdimlythemagicropewasglowingnow.‘Thiswasafewweeksago,’Annabethsaid.‘Percytoldmeacrazystory
aboutmeetingaboyoutnearMorichesBay.Apparentlythiskidusedhieroglyphstocastspells.HehelpedPercybattleabigcrocodilemonster.’‘TheSonofSobek!’Sadieblurted.‘Butmybrotherbattledthatmonster.He
didn’tsayanythingabout–’‘Isyourbrother’snameCarter?’Annabethasked.AnangrygoldenauraflickeredaroundSadie’shead–ahaloofhieroglyphs
thatresembledfrowns,fistsanddeadstickmen.
‘Asofthismoment,’Sadiegrowled,‘mybrother’snameisPunchingBag.Seemshehasn’tbeentellingmeeverything.’‘Ah.’Annabethhadtofighttheurgetoscootawayfromhernewfriend.She
fearedthoseglowingangryhieroglyphsmightexplode.‘Awkward.Sorry.’‘Don’tbe,’Sadiesaid.‘I’llratherenjoybashingmybrother’sfacein.Butfirst
tellmeeverything–aboutyourself,demigods,Greeksandwhateveritmighthavetodowithourevilcaninefriendhere.’Annabethtoldherwhatshecould.Usuallyshewasn’tsoquicktotrust,butshe’dhadalotofexperiencereading
people.ShelikedSadieimmediately:thecombatboots,thepurplehighlights,theattitude…InAnnabeth’sexperience,untrustworthypeopleweren’tsoup-frontaboutwantingtobashsomeone’sfacein.Theycertainlydidn’thelpanunconsciousstrangerandofferahealingpotion.AnnabethdescribedCampHalf-Blood.Sherecountedsomeofheradventures
battlinggodsandgiantsandTitans.Sheexplainedhowshe’dspottedthetwo-headedlion-wolf-crabattheWestFourthStreetstationanddecidedtofollowit.‘SohereIam,’Annabethsummedup.Sadie’smouthquivered.Shelookedasifshemightstartyellingorcrying.
Instead,shebrokedowninafitofthegiggles.Annabethfrowned.‘DidIsaysomethingfunny?’‘No,no…’Sadiesnorted.‘Well…itisabitfunny.Imean,we’resittingon
thebeachtalkingaboutGreekgods.Andacampfordemigods,and–’‘It’salltrue!’‘Oh,Ibelieveyou.It’stooridiculousnottobetrue.It’sjustthateachtimemy
worldgetsstranger,Ithink:Right.We’reatmaximumoddnessnow.AtleastIknowthefullextentofit.First,IfindoutmybrotherandIaredescendedfromthepharaohsandhavemagicpowers.Allright.Noproblem.ThenIfindoutmydeadfatherhasmergedhissoulwithOsirisandbecomethelordofthedead.Brilliant!Whynot?ThenmyuncletakesovertheHouseofLifeandoverseeshundredsofmagiciansaroundtheworld.Thenmyboyfriendturnsouttobeahybridmagicianboy/immortalgodoffunerals.AndallthewhileI’mthinking,Ofcourse!Keepcalmandcarryon!I’veadjusted!AndthenyoucomealongonarandomThursday,la-di-da,andsay,Oh,bytheway,Egyptiangodsarejustone
smallpartofthecosmicabsurdity.We’vealsogottheGreekstoworryabout!Hooray!’Annabethcouldn’tfolloweverythingSadiehadsaid–afuneralgod
boyfriend?–butshehadtoadmitthatgigglingaboutitwashealthierthancurlingintoaballandsobbing.‘Okay,’sheadmitted.‘Itallsoundsalittlecrazy,butIguessitmakessense.
MyteacherChiron…foryearshe’sbeentellingmethatancientgodsareimmortalbecausethey’repartofthefabricofcivilization.IfGreekgodscanstickaroundallthesemillennia,whynottheEgyptians?’‘Themorethemerrier,’Sadieagreed.‘But,erm,whataboutthislittledoggie?’
ShepickedupatinyseashellandbounceditofftheheadoftheLabradormonster,whichsnarledinirritation.‘Oneminuteit’ssittingonthetableinourlibrary–aharmlessartefact,astonefragmentfromsomestatue,wethink.ThenextminuteitcomestolifeandbreaksoutofBrooklynHouse.Itshredsourmagicalwards,ploughsthroughFelix’spenguinsandshrugsoffmyspellslikethey’renothing.’‘Penguins?’Annabethshookherhead.‘No.ForgetIasked.’Shestudiedthedogcreatureasitstrainedagainstitsbonds.RedGreekletters
andhieroglyphsswirledarounditasiftryingtoformnewsymbols–amessageAnnabethcouldalmostread.‘Willthoseropeshold?’sheasked.‘Theylooklikethey’reweakening.’‘Noworries,’Sadieassuredher.‘Thoseropeshaveheldgodsbefore.Andnot
smallgods,mindyou.Extra-largeones.’‘Um,okay.Soyousaidthedogwaspartofastatue.Anyideawhatstatue?’‘None.’Sadieshrugged.‘Cleo,ourlibrarian,wasjustresearchingthat
questionwhenFidoherewokeup.’‘Butithastobeconnectedtotheothermonster–thewolfandthelionheads.
Igottheimpressionthey’djustcometolife,too.They’dfusedtogetherandweren’tusedtoworkingasateam.Theygotonthattrainsearchingforsomething–probablythisdog.’Sadiefiddledwithhersilverpendant.‘Amonsterwiththreeheads:alion,a
wolfandadog.Allstickingoutof…whatwasthatconicalthing?Ashell?Atorch?’Annabeth’sheadstartedtospinagain.Atorch.
Sheflashedonadistantmemory–maybeapictureshe’dseeninabook.Shehadn’tconsideredthatthemonster’sconemightbesomethingyoucouldhold,somethingthatbelongedinamassivehand.Butatorchwasn’tright…‘It’sasceptre,’sherealized.‘Idon’trememberwhichgodheldit,butthe
three-headedstaffwashissymbol.Hewas…Greek,Ithink,buthewasalsofromsomewhereinEgypt–’‘Alexandria,’Sadieguessed.Annabethstaredather.‘Howdoyouknow?’‘Well,granted,I’mnotahistorynutlikemybrother,butIhavebeento
Alexandria.IrecallsomethingaboutitbeingthecapitalwhentheGreeksruledEgypt.AlexandertheGreat,wasn’tit?’Annabethnodded.‘That’sright.AlexanderconqueredEgyptand,afterhe
died,hisgeneralPtolemytookover.HewantedtheEgyptianstoaccepthimastheirpharaoh,sohemashedtheEgyptiangodsandGreekgodstogetherandmadeupnewones.’‘Soundsmessy,’Sadiesaid.‘Iprefermygodsunmashed.’‘Buttherewasonegodinparticular…Ican’trememberhisname.Thethree-
headedcreaturewasatthetopofhissceptre…’‘Ratherlargesceptre,’Sadienoted.‘Idon’tfancymeetingtheblokewho
couldcarryitaround.’‘Oh,gods.’Annabethsatup.‘That’sit!Thestaffisn’tjusttryingto
reassembleitself–it’stryingtofinditsmaster.’Sadiescowled.‘I’mnotinfavourofthatatall.Weneedtomakesure–’Thedogmonsterhowled.Themagicalropesexplodedlikeagrenade,
sprayingthebeachwithgoldenshrapnel.
TheblastknockedSadieacrossthedunesliketumbleweed.Annabethslammedintotheice-creamtruck.Herlimbsturnedtolead.Allthe
airwasforcedoutofherlungs.Ifthedogcreaturehadwantedtokillher,itcouldhave,easily.Instead,itboundedinland,disappearingintheweeds.Annabethinstinctivelygrabbedforaweapon.Herfingersclosedround
Sadie’scurvedwand.Painmadehergasp.Theivoryburnedlikedryice.Annabethtriedtoletgo,butherhandwouldn’tobey.Asshewatched,thewand
steamed,changingformuntiltheburnsubsidedandAnnabethheldaCelestialbronzedagger–justliketheoneshe’dcarriedforyears.Shestaredattheblade.Thensheheardgroaningfromthenearbydunes.‘Sadie!’Annabethstaggeredtoherfeet.Bythetimeshereachedthemagician,Sadiewassittingup,spittingsandout
ofhermouth.Shehadbitsofseaweedinherhair,andherbackpackwaswrappedroundoneofhercombatboots,butshelookedmoreoutragedthaninjured.‘StupidFido!’shesnarled.‘Nodogbiscuitsforhim!’Shefrownedat
Annabeth’sknife.‘Wheredidyougetthat?’‘Um…it’syourwand,’Annabethsaid.‘Ipickeditupand…Idon’tknow.It
justchangedintothekindofdaggerIusuallyuse.’‘Huh.Well,magicitemsdohaveamindoftheirown.Keepit.I’vegotmore
athome.Now,whichwaydidFidogo?’‘Overthere.’Annabethpointedwithhernewblade.Sadiepeeredinland.Hereyeswidened.‘Oh…right.Towardsthestorm.
That’snew.’Annabethfollowedhergaze.Pastthesubwaytracks,shesawnothingexcept
anabandonedapartmenttower,fencedoffandforlornagainstthelateafternoonsky.‘Whatstorm?’‘Youdon’tseeit?’Sadieasked.‘Holdon.’Shedisentangledherbackpack
fromherbootandrummagedthroughhersupplies.Shebroughtoutanotherceramicvial,thisonestubbyandwidelikeaface-creamjar.Shepulledoffthelidandscoopedoutsomepinkgoo.‘Letmesmearthisonyoureyelids.’‘Wow,thatsoundslikeanautomaticno.’‘Don’tbesqueamish.It’sperfectlyharmless…well,formagicians.Probably
fordemigods,too.’Annabethwasn’treassured,butsheclosedhereyes.Sadiesmearedonthe
gloop,whichtingledandwarmedlikementholrub.‘Right,’Sadiesaid.‘Youcanlooknow.’Annabethopenedhereyesandgasped.Theworldwasawashincolour.Thegroundhadturnedtranslucent–
gelatinouslayersdescendingintodarknessbelow.Theairrippledwithshimmeringveils,eachonevibrantbutslightlyoutofsync,asifmultiplehigh-
definitionvideoshadbeensuperimposedontopofoneanother.HieroglyphsandGreeklettersswirledaroundher,fusingandburstingastheycollided.Annabethfeltasifshewereseeingtheworldontheatomiclevel.Everythinginvisiblehadbeenrevealed,paintedwithmagiclight.‘Do–doyouseelikethisallthetime?’Sadiesnorted.‘GodsofEgypt,no!Itwoulddrivemebonkers.Ihaveto
concentratetoseetheDuat.That’swhatyou’redoing–peeringintothemagicalsideoftheworld.’‘I…’Annabethfaltered.Annabethwasusuallyaconfidentperson.Whenevershedealtwithregular
mortals,shecarriedasmugcertaintythatshepossessedsecretknowledge.Sheunderstoodtheworldofgodsandmonsters.Mortalsdidn’thaveaclue.Evenwithotherdemigods,Annabethwasalmostalwaysthemostseasonedveteran.She’ddonemorethanmostheroeshadeverdreamedof,andshe’dsurvived.Now,lookingattheshiftingcurtainsofcolours,Annabethfeltlikeasix-year-
oldkidagain,justlearninghowterribleanddangerousherworldreallywas.Shesatdownhardinthesand.‘Idon’tknowwhattothink.’‘Don’tthink,’Sadieadvised.‘Breathe.Youreyeswilladjust.It’sratherlike
swimming.Ifyouletyourbodytakeover,you’llknowwhattodoinstinctively.Panic,andyou’lldrown.’Annabethtriedtorelax.Shebegantodiscernpatternsintheair:currentsflowingbetweenthelayersof
reality,vapourtrailsofmagicstreamingoffcarsandbuildings.Thesiteofthetrainwreckglowedgreen.Sadiehadagoldenaurawithmistyplumesspreadingbehindherlikewings.Wherethedogmonsteroncelay,thegroundsmoulderedlikelivecoals.
Crimsontendrilssnakedawayfromthesite,followingthedirectioninwhichthemonsterhadfled.Annabethfocusedonthederelictapartmentbuildinginthedistance,andher
heartbeatdoubled.Thetowerglowedredfromtheinside–lightseepingthroughtheboarded-upwindows,shootingthroughcracksinthecrumblingwalls.Darkcloudsswirledoverhead,andmoretendrilsofredenergyflowedtowardsthebuildingfromalloverthelandscape,asifbeingdrawnintothevortex.
ThesceneremindedAnnabethofCharybdis,thewhirlpool-inhalingmonstershe’donceencounteredintheSeaofMonsters.Itwasn’tahappymemory.‘Thatapartmentbuilding,’shesaid.‘It’sattractingredlightfromalloverthe
place.’‘Exactly,’Sadiesaid.‘InEgyptianmagic,redisbad.Itmeansevilandchaos.’‘Sothat’swherethedogmonsterisheading,’Annabethguessed.‘Tomerge
withtheotherpieceofthesceptre–’‘Andtofinditsmaster,I’dwager.’Annabethknewsheshouldgetup.Theyhadtohurry.But,lookingatthe
swirlinglayersofmagic,shewasafraidtomove.She’dspentherwholelifelearningabouttheMist–themagicalboundarythat
separatedthemortalworldfromtheworldofGreekmonstersandgods.Butshe’dneverthoughtoftheMistasanactualcurtain.WhathadSadiecalledit–theDuat?AnnabethwonderediftheMistandtheDuatwererelated,ormaybeeventhe
samething.Thenumberofveilsshecouldseewasoverwhelming–likeatapestryfoldedinonitselfahundredtimes.Shedidn’ttrustherselftostand.Panic,andyou’lldrown.Sadieofferedherhand.Hereyeswerefullofsympathy.‘Look,Iknowit’sa
lot,butnothinghaschanged.You’restillthesametough-skinned,rucksack-wieldingdemigodyou’vealwaysbeen.Andnowyouhavealovelydaggeraswell.’Annabethfeltthebloodrisetoherface.Normallyshewould’vebeentheone
givingthepeptalk.‘Yeah.Yeah,ofcourse.’SheacceptedSadie’shand.‘Let’sgofindagod.’
Achain-linkfenceringedthebuilding,buttheysqueezedthroughagapandpickedtheirwayacrossafieldofspeargrassandbrokenconcrete.TheenchantedglooponAnnabeth’seyesseemedtobewearingoff.Theworld
nolongerlookedsomultilayeredandkaleidoscopic,butthatwasfinewithher.Shedidn’tneedspecialvisiontoknowthetowerwasfullofbadmagic.Upclose,theredglowinthewindowswasevenmoreradiant.Theplywood
rattled.Thebrickwallsgroaned.Hieroglyphicbirdsandstickfiguresformedin
theairandfloatedinside.Eventhegraffitiseemedtovibrateonthewalls,asifthesymbolsweretryingtocomealive.Whateverwasinsidethebuilding,itspowertuggedatAnnabethtoo,thesame
wayCrabbyhadonthetrain.Shegrippedhernewbronzedagger,realizingitwastoosmallandtooshortto
providemuchoffensivepower.Butthat’swhyAnnabethlikeddaggers:theykeptherfocused.AchildofAthenashouldneverrelyonabladeifshecoulduseherwitsinstead.Intelligencewonwars,notbruteforce.Unfortunately,Annabeth’switsweren’tworkingverywellatthemoment.‘WishIknewwhatweweredealingwith,’shemutteredastheycrepttowards
thebuilding.‘Iliketodoresearchfirst–armmyselfwithknowledge.’Sadiegrunted.‘Yousoundlikemybrother.Tellme,howoftendomonsters
giveyoutheluxuryofGooglingthembeforetheyattack?’‘Never,’Annabethadmitted.‘Well,thereyouare.Carter–hewouldlovetospendhoursinthelibrary,
readinguponeveryhostiledemonwemightface,highlightingtheimportantbitsandmakingflashcardsformetostudy.Sadly,whendemonsattack,theydon’tgiveusanywarning,andtheyrarelybothertoidentifythemselves.’‘Sowhat’syourstandardoperatingprocedure?’‘Forgeahead,’Sadiesaid.‘Thinkonmyfeet.Whennecessary,blastenemies
intoteeny-tinybits.’‘Great.You’dfitrightinwithmyfriends.’‘I’lltakethatasacompliment.Thatdoor,youthink?’Asetofstepsledtoabasemententrance.Asingletwo-by-fourwasnailed
acrossthedoorwayinahalf-heartedattempttokeepouttrespassers,butthedooritselfwasslightlyajar.Annabethwasabouttosuggestscoutingtheperimeter.Shedidn’ttrustsuchan
easywayin,butSadiedidn’twait.Theyoungmagiciantrotteddownthestepsandslippedinside.Annabeth’sonlychoicewastofollow.
Asitturnedout,ifthey’dcomethroughanyotherdoor,theywouldhavedied.Thewholeinteriorofthebuildingwasacavernousshell,thirtystoreystall,
swirlingwithamaelstromofbricks,pipes,boardsandotherdebris,alongwith
glowingGreeksymbols,hieroglyphsandredneontuftsofenergy.Thescenewasbothterrifyingandbeautiful–asifatornadohadbeencaught,illuminatedfromwithinandputonpermanentdisplay.Becausethey’denteredonthebasementlevel,SadieandAnnabethwere
protectedinashallowstairwell–akindoftrenchintheconcrete.Ifthey’dwalkedintothestormongroundlevel,theywould’vebeenrippedtoshreds.AsAnnabethwatched,atwistedsteelgirderflewoverheadatrace-carspeed.
Dozensofbricksspedbylikeaschooloffish.Afieryredhieroglyphslammedintoaflyingsheetofplywood,andthewoodignitedliketissuepaper.‘Upthere,’Sadiewhispered.Shepointedtothetopofthebuilding,wherepartofthethirtiethfloorwasstill
intact–acrumblingledgejuttingoutintothevoid.Itwashardtoseethroughtheswirlingrubbleandredhaze,butAnnabethcoulddiscernabulkyhumanoidshapestandingattheprecipice,hisarmsspreadasifwelcomingthestorm.‘What’shedoing?’Sadiemurmured.Annabethflinchedasahelixofcopperpipesspunafewinchesoverherhead.
ShestaredintothedebrisandbegannoticingpatternslikeshehadwiththeDuat:aswirlofboardsandnailscomingtogethertoformaplatformframe,aclusterofbricksassemblinglikeLegotomakeanarch.‘He’sbuildingsomething,’sherealized.‘Buildingwhat,adisaster?’Sadieasked.‘ThisplaceremindsmeoftheRealm
ofChaos.And,believeme,thatwasnotmyfavouriteholidayspot.’Annabethglancedover.ShewonderedifChaosmeantthesamethingfor
EgyptiansasitdidforGreeks.AnnabethhadhadherownclosecallwithChaos,andifSadiehadbeenthere,too…well,themagicianmustbeeventougherthansheseemed.‘Thestormisn’tcompletelyrandom,’Annabethsaid.‘Seethere?Andthere?
Bitsofmaterialarecomingtogether,formingsomekindofstructureinsidethebuilding.’Sadiefrowned.‘Lookslikebricksinablendertome.’Annabethwasn’tsurehowtoexplainit,butshe’dstudiedarchitectureand
engineeringlongenoughtorecognizethedetails.Copperpipingwasreconnectinglikearteriesandveinsinacirculatorysystem.Sectionsofoldwalls
werepiecingthemselvestogethertoformanewjigsawpuzzle.Everysooften,morebricksorgirderspeeledofftheouterwallstojointhetornado.‘He’scannibalizingthebuilding,’shesaid.‘Idon’tknowhowlongtheouter
wallswilllast.’Sadiesworeunderherbreath.‘Pleasetellmehe’snotbuildingapyramid.
Anythingbutthat.’AnnabethwonderedwhyanEgyptianmagicianwouldhatepyramids,butshe
shookherhead.‘I’dguessit’ssomekindofconicaltower.There’sonlyonewaytoknowforsure.’‘Askthebuilder.’Sadiegazedupattheremnantofthethirtiethfloor.Themanontheledgehadn’tmoved,butAnnabethcouldswearhe’dgrown
larger.Redlightswirledaroundhim.Insilhouette,helookedlikehewaswearingatallangulartophatàlaAbeLincoln.Sadieshoulderedherbackpack.‘So,ifthat’sourmysterygod,where’sthe–’Rightoncue,athree-parthowlcutthroughthedin.Attheoppositeendofthe
building,asetofmetaldoorsburstopenandthecrabmonsterlopedinside.Unfortunately,thebeastnowhadallthreeheads–wolf,lionanddog.Itslong
spiralshellglowedwithGreekandhieroglyphicinscriptions.Completelyignoringtheflyingdebris,themonsterclamberedinsideonitssixforelegs,thenleapedintotheair.Thestormcarrieditupward,spirallingthroughthechaos.‘It’sheadingforitsmaster,’Annabethsaid.‘Wehavetostopit.’‘Lovely,’Sadiegrumbled.‘Thisisgoingtodrainme.’‘Whatwill?’Sadieraisedherstaff.‘N’dah.’Agoldenhieroglyphblazedintheairabovethem:
Andsuddenlytheyweresurroundedinasphereoflight.Annabeth’sspinetingled.She’dbeenencasedinaprotectivebubblelikethis
oncebefore,whenshe,PercyandGroverhadusedmagicpearlstoescapetheUnderworld.Theexperiencehadbeen…claustrophobic.
‘Thiswillshieldusfromthestorm?’sheasked.‘Hopefully.’Sadie’sfacewasnowbeadedwithsweat.‘Comeon.’Sheledthewayupthesteps.Immediately,theirshieldwasputtothetest.Aflyingkitchencounterwould
havedecapitatedthem,butitshatteredagainstSadie’sforcefield.Chunksofmarbleswirledharmlesslyaroundthem.‘Brilliant,’Sadiesaid.‘Now,holdthestaffwhileIturnintoabird.’‘Wait.What?’Sadierolledhereyes.‘We’rethinkingonourfeet,remember?I’llflyupthere
andstopthestaffmonster.Youtrytodistractthatgod…whoeverheis.Gethisattention.’‘Fine,butI’mnomagician.Ican’tmaintainaspell.’‘Theshieldwillholdforafewminutes,aslongasyouusethestaff.’‘Butwhataboutyou?Ifyou’renotinsidetheshield–’‘Ihaveanidea.Itmightevenwork.’Sadiefishedsomethingoutofherpack–asmallanimalfigurine.Shecurled
herfingersroundit,thenbegantochangeform.Annabethhadseenpeopleturnintoanimalsbefore,butitnevergoteasierto
watch.Sadieshranktoatenthofhersize.Hernoseelongatedintoabeak.Herhairandclothesandbackpackmeltedintoasleekcoatoffeathers.Shebecameasmallbirdofprey–akite,maybe–herblueeyesnowbrilliantgold.Withthelittlefigurinestillclutchedinhertalons,Sadiespreadherwingsandlaunchedherselfintothestorm.Annabethwincedasaclusterofbricksploughedintoherfriend–but
somehowthedebriswentstraightthroughwithoutturningSadieintofeatherpuree.Sadie’sformjustshimmeredasifsheweretravellingunderadeeplayerofwater.SadiewasintheDuat,Annabethrealized–flyingonadifferentlevelof
reality.TheideamadeAnnabeth’smindheatupwithpossibilities.Ifademigodcould
learntopassthroughwallslikethat,runstraightthroughmonsters…Butthatwasaconversationforanothertime.Rightnowsheneededtomove.
Shechargedupthestepsandintothemaelstrom.Metalbarsandcopperpipes
clangedagainstherforcefield.Thegoldensphereflashedalittlemoredimlyeachtimeitdeflecteddebris.SheraisedSadie’sstaffinonehandandhernewdaggerintheother.Inthe
magicaltorrent,theCelestialbronzebladegutteredlikeadyingtorch.‘Hey!’sheyelledatledgefarabove.‘MrGodPerson!’Noresponse.Hervoiceprobablycouldn’tcarryoverthestorm.Theshellofthebuildingstartedtogroan.Mortartrickledfromthewallsand
swirledintothemixlikecandy-flosstufts.Sadiethehawkwasstillalive,flyingtowardsthethree-headedmonsterasit
spiralledupward.Thebeastwasabouthalfwaytothetopnow,flailingitslegsandglowingevermorebrightly,asifsoakingupthepowerofthetornado.Annabethwasrunningoutoftime.Shereachedintohermemory,siftingthrougholdmyths,themostobscure
talesChironhadevertoldheratcamp.Whenshewasyounger,she’dbeenlikeasponge,soakingupeveryfactandname.Thethree-headedstaff.ThegodofAlexandria,Egypt.Thegod’snamecametoher.Atleast,shehopedshewasright.Oneofthefirstlessonsshe’dlearnedasademigod:Nameshavepower.You
neversaidthenameofagodormonsterunlessyouwerepreparedtodrawitsattention.Annabethtookadeepbreath.Sheshoutedatthetopofherlungs:‘SERAPIS!’Thestormslowed.Hugesectionsofpipehoveredinmidair.Cloudsofbricks
andtimberfrozeandhungsuspended.Becalmedinthemiddleofthetornado,thethree-headedmonstertriedto
stand.Sadieswoopedoverhead,openedhertalonsanddroppedherfigurine,whichinstantlygrewintoafull-sizedcamel.Theshaggydromedaryslammedintothemonster’sback.Bothcreatures
tumbledoutoftheairandcrashedtothefloorinatangleoflimbsandheads.Thestaffmonstercontinuedtostruggle,butthecamellayontopofitwithitslegssplayed,bleatingandspittingandbasicallygoinglimplikeathousand-poundtoddlerthrowingatantrum.Fromthethirtieth-floorledge,aman’svoiceboomed:‘WHODARES
INTERRUPTMYTRIUMPHALRISE?’‘Ido!’yelledAnnabeth.‘Comedownandfaceme!’
Shedidn’tliketakingcreditforotherpeople’scamels,butshewantedtokeepthegodfocusedonhersoSadiecoulddo…whateverSadiedecidedtodo.Theyoungmagicianclearlyhadsomegoodtricksuphersleeve.ThegodSerapisleapedfromhisledge.Heplummetedthirtystoreysand
landedonhisfeetinthemiddleofthegroundfloor,aneasydaggerthrowawayfromAnnabeth.Notthatshewastemptedtoattack.Serapisstoodfifteenfeettall.Heworeonlyapairofswimmingtrunksina
Hawaiianfloralpattern.Hisbodyrippledwithmuscles.Hisbronzeskinwascoveredinshimmeringtattoosofhieroglyphs,GreeklettersandotherlanguagesAnnabethdidn’trecognize.Hisfacewasframedwithlong,nappyhairlikeRastafariandreadlocks.A
curlyGreekbeardgrewdowntohiscollarbone.Hiseyeswereseagreen–somuchlikePercy’sthatAnnabethgotgoosebumps.Normallyshedidn’tlikehairybeardeddudes,butshehadtoadmitthisgod
wasattractiveinanolder,wild-surferkindofway.Hisheadgear,however,ruinedthelook.WhatAnnabethhadtakenfora
stovepipehatwasactuallyacylindricalwickerbasketembroideredwithimagesofpansies.‘Excuseme,’shesaid.‘Isthataflowerpotonyourhead?’Serapisraisedhisbushybrowneyebrows.Hepattedhisheadasifhe’d
forgottenaboutthebasket.Afewwheatseedsspilledfromthetop.‘That’samodius,sillygirl.It’soneofmyholysymbols!ThegrainbasketrepresentstheUnderworld,whichIcontrol.’‘Uh,youdo?’‘Ofcourse!’Serapisglowered.‘OrIdid,andsoonIwillagain.Butwhoare
youtocriticizemyfashionchoices?AGreekdemigod,bythesmellofyou,carryingaCelestialbronzeweaponandanEgyptianstafffromtheHouseofLife.Whichareyou–heroormagician?’Annabeth’shandstrembled.Flowerpothatorno,Serapisradiatedpower.
Standingsonearhim,Annabethfeltwateryinside,asifherheart,herstomachandhercouragewereallmelting.Getaholdofyourself,shethought.You’vemetplentyofgodsbefore.
ButSerapiswasdifferent.Hispresencefeltfundamentallywrong–asifsimplybybeingherehewaspullingAnnabeth’sworldinsideout.Twentyfeetbehindthegod,Sadiethebirdlandedandchangedbacktohuman
form.ShegesturedtoAnnabeth:fingertolips(shh),thenrolledherhand(keephimtalking).Shebeganrootingquietlythroughherbag.Annabethhadnoideawhatherfriendwasplanning,butsheforcedherselfto
meetSerapis’seyes.‘WhosaysI’mnotboth–magiciananddemigod?Now,explainwhyyou’rehere!’Serapis’sfacedarkened.Then,toAnnabeth’ssurprise,hethrewbackhishead
andlaughed,spillingmoregrainfromhismodius.‘Isee!Tryingtoimpressme,eh?Youthinkyourselfworthyofbeingmyhighpriestess?’Annabethgulped.Therewasonlyoneanswertoaquestionlikethat.‘Of
courseI’mworthy!Why,IwasoncethemagnamaterofAthena’scult!Butareyouworthyofmyservice?’‘HA!’Serapisgrinned.‘AbigmotherofAthena’scult,eh?Let’sseehow
toughyouare.’Heflickedhishand.Abathtubflewoutoftheair,straightatAnnabeth’sforce
field.Theporcelainburstintoshrapnelagainstthegoldensphere,butSadie’sstaffbecamesohotthatAnnabethhadtodropit.Thewhitewoodburnedtoashes.Great,shethought.Twominutes,andI’vealreadyruinedSadie’sstaff.Herprotectiveshieldwasgone.Shefacedafifteen-foot-tallgodwithonlyher
usualweapons–atinydaggerandalotofattitude.ToAnnabeth’sleft,thethree-headedmonsterwasstillstrugglingtogetout
fromunderthecamel,butthecamelwasheavy,stubbornandfabulouslyuncoordinated.Everytimethemonstertriedtopushitoff,thecamelfartedwithgustoandsplayeditslegsevenfurther.Meanwhile,Sadiehadtakenapieceofchalkfromherbag.Shescribbled
furiouslyontheconcretefloorbehindSerapis,perhapswritinganiceepitaphtocommemoratetheirimminentdeath.AnnabethrecalledaquoteherfriendFrankhadoncesharedwithher–
somethingfromSunTzu’sTheArtofWar.Whenweak,actstrong.
AnnabethstoodstraightandlaughedinSerapis’sface.‘Throwthingsatmeallyouwant,LordSerapis.Idon’tevenneedastafftodefendmyself.Mypowersaretoogreat!OrperhapsyouwanttostopwastingmytimeandtellmehowImayserveyou,assumingIagreetobecomeyournewhighpriestess.’Thegod’sfaceglowedwithoutrage.Annabethwassurehewoulddroptheentirewhirlwindofdebrisonher,and
therewasnowayshe’dbeabletostopit.Sheconsideredthrowingherdaggeratthegod’seye,thewayherfriendRachelhadoncedistractedtheTitanKronos,butAnnabethdidn’ttrustheraim.FinallySerapisgaveheratwistedsmile.‘Youhavecourage,girl.I’llgrant
youthat.Andyoudidmakehastetofindme.Perhapsyoucanserve.Youwillbethefirstofmanytogivemeyourpower,yourlife,yourverysoul!’‘Soundsfun.’AnnabethglancedatSadie,wishingshewouldhurryupwith
thatchalkart.‘Butfirst,’Serapissaid,‘Imusthavemystaff!’Hegesturedtowardsthecamel.Aredhieroglyphburnedonthecreature’s
hide,and,withonefinalfart,thepoordromedarydissolvedintoapileofsand.Thethree-headedmonstergottoitsforepaws,shakingoffthesand.‘Holdit!’Annabethyelled.Themonster’sthreeheadssnarledather.Serapisscowled.‘Whatnow,girl?’‘Well,Ishould…youknow,presentthestafftoyou,asyourhighpriestess!
Weshoulddothingsproperly!’Annabethlungedforthemonster.Itwasmuchtooheavyforhertopickup,
butshestuckherdaggerinherbeltandusedbothhandstograbtheendofthecreature’sconicalshell,draggingitbackwards,awayfromthegod.Meanwhile,Sadiehaddrawnabigcircleaboutthesizeofahula-hooponthe
concrete.Shewasnowdecoratingitwithhieroglyphs,usingseveraldifferentcoloursofchalk.Byallmeans,Annabeththoughtwithfrustration.Takeyourtimeandmakeit
pretty!ShemanagedtosmileatSerapiswhileholdingbackthestaffmonsterthatwas
stilltryingtoclawitswayforward.
‘Now,mylord,’Annabethsaid,‘tellmeyourgloriousplan!Somethingaboutsoulsandlives?’Thestaffmonsterhowledinprotest,probablybecauseitcouldseeSadie
hidingbehindthegod,doinghertop-secretpavementart.Serapisdidn’tseemtonotice.‘Behold!’Hespreadhismusculararms.‘Thenewcentreofmypower!’Redsparksblazedthroughthefrozenwhirlwind.Aweboflightconnectedthe
dotsuntilAnnabethsawtheglowingoutlineofthestructureSerapiswasbuilding:amassivetowerthreehundredfeettall,designedinthreetaperingtiers–asquarebottom,anoctagonalmiddleandacirculartop.AtthezenithblazedafireasbrightasaCyclops’sforge.‘Alighthouse,’Annabethsaid.‘TheLighthouseofAlexandria.’‘Indeed,myyoungpriestess.’Serapispacedbackandforthlikeateacher
givingalecture,thoughhisfloral-printshortswereprettydistracting.Hiswicker-baskethatkepttiltingtoonesideortheother,spillinggrain.SomehowhestillfailedtonoticeSadiesquattingbehindhim,scribblingprettypictureswithherchalk.‘Alexandria!’thegodcried.‘Oncethegreatestcityintheworld,theultimate
fusionofGreekandEgyptianpower!Iwasitssupremegod,andnowIhaverisenagain.Iwillcreatemynewcapitalhere!’‘Uh…inRockawayBeach?’Serapisstoppedandscratchedhisbeard.‘Youhaveapoint.Thatnamewon’t
do.Wewillcallit…Rockandria?Serapaway?Well,we’llfigurethatoutlater!Ourfirststepistocompletemynewlighthouse.Itwillbeabeacontotheworld–drawingthedeitiesofAncientGreeceandEgyptheretomejustasitdidintheolddays.Ishallfeedontheiressenceandbecomethemostpowerfulgodofall!’Annabethfeltasifshe’dswallowedatablespoonofsalt.‘Feedontheir
essence.Youmean,destroythem?’Serapiswaveddismissively.‘Destroyissuchanuglyword.Iprefer
incorporate.Youknowmyhistory,Ihope?WhenAlexandertheGreatconqueredEgypt–’‘HetriedtomergetheGreekandEgyptianreligions,’Annabethsaid.‘Triedandfailed.’Serapischuckled.‘AlexanderchoseanEgyptiansungod,
Amun,tobehismaindeity.Thatdidn’tworktoowell.TheGreeksdidn’tlike
Amun.NeitherdidtheEgyptiansoftheNileDelta.TheysawAmunasanuprivergod.ButwhenAlexanderdiedhisgeneraltookoverEgypt.’‘PtolemytheFirst,’Annabethsaid.Serapisbeamed,obviouslypleased.‘Yes…Ptolemy.Now,therewasamortal
withvision!’IttookallofAnnabeth’swillnottostareatSadie,whohadnowcompleted
hermagiccircleandwastappingthehieroglyphswithherfinger,mutteringsomethingunderherbreathasiftoactivatethem.Thethree-headedstaffmonstersnarledindisapproval.Ittriedtolunge
forward,andAnnabethbarelymanagedtoholdhimback.Herfingerswereweakening.Thecreature’saurawasasnauseatingasever.‘Ptolemycreatedanewgod,’shesaid,strainingwitheffort.‘Hecreatedyou.’Serapisshrugged.‘Well,notfromscratch.Iwasonceaminorvillagegod.
Nobodyhadevenheardofme!ButPtolemydiscoveredmystatueandbroughtittoAlexandria.HehadtheGreekandEgyptianpriestsdoauguriesandincantationsandwhatnot.TheyallagreedthatIwasthegreatgodSerapis,andIshouldbeworshippedaboveallothergods.Iwasaninstanthit!’Sadierosewithinhermagiccircle.Sheunlatchedhersilvernecklaceand
beganswingingitlikealasso.Thethree-headedmonsterroaredwhatwasprobablyawarningtoitsmaster:
Lookout!ButSerapiswasonaroll.Ashespoke,thehieroglyphicandGreektattooson
hisskinglowedmorebrightly.‘IbecamethemostimportantgodoftheGreeksandEgyptians!’hesaid.‘As
morepeopleworshippedme,Idrainedthepoweroftheoldergods.Slowlybutsurely,Itooktheirplace.TheUnderworld?Ibecameitsmaster,replacingbothHadesandOsiris.TheguarddogCerberustransformedintomystaff,whichyounowhold.Histhreeheadsrepresentthepast,presentandfuture–allofwhichIwillcontrolwhenthestaffisreturnedtomygrasp.’Thegodheldouthishand.Themonsterstrainedtoreachhim.Annabeth’sarm
musclesburned.Herfingersbegantoslip.Sadiewasstillswingingherpendant,mutteringanincantation.HolyHecate,Annabeththought,howlongdoesittaketocastastupidspell?
ShecaughtSadie’sgazeandsawthemessageinhereyes:Holdon.Justanotherfewseconds.Annabethwasn’tsureshehadafewmoreseconds.‘ThePtolemaicdynasty…’Shegrittedherteeth.‘Itfellcenturiesago.Your
cultwasforgotten.Howisitthatyou’rebacknow?’Serapissniffed.‘That’snotimportant.Theonewhoawakenedme…well,he
hasdelusionsofgrandeur.HethinkshecancontrolmejustbecausehefoundsomeoldspellsintheBookofThoth.’Behindthegod,Sadieflinchedasifshe’dbeensmackedbetweentheeyes.
Apparently,this‘BookofThoth’struckachordwithher.‘Yousee,’Serapiscontinued,‘backintheday,KingPtolemydecideditwasn’t
enoughtomakemeamajorgod.Hewantedtobecomeimmortal,too.Hedeclaredhimselfagod,buthismagicbackfired.Afterhisdeath,hisfamilywascursedforgenerations.ThePtolemaiclinegrewweakerandweakeruntilthatsillygirlCleopatracommittedsuicideandgaveeverythingtotheRomans.’Thegodsneered.‘Mortals…alwayssogreedy.Themagicianwhoawakened
methistimethinkshecandobetterthanPtolemy.RaisingmewasonlyoneofhisexperimentswithhybridGreek-Egyptianmagic.Hewishestomakehimselfagod,buthehasoversteppedhimself.Iamawakenow.Iwillcontroltheuniverse.’SerapisfixedAnnabethwithhisbrilliantgreeneyes.Hisfeaturesseemedto
shift,remindingAnnabethofmanydifferentOlympians:Zeus,Poseidon,Hades.SomethingabouthissmileevenremindedAnnabethofhermother,Athena.‘Justthink,littledemigod,’Serapissaid,‘thislighthousewilldrawthegodsto
melikemothstoacandle.OnceIhaveconsumedtheirpower,Iwillraiseagreatcity.IwillbuildanewAlexandrianlibrarywithalltheknowledgeoftheancientworld,bothGreekandEgyptian.AsachildofAthena,youshouldappreciatethis.Asmyhighpriestess,thinkofallthepoweryouwillhave!’AnewAlexandrianlibrary.Annabethcouldn’tpretendthattheideadidn’tthrillher.Somuchknowledge
oftheancientworldhadbeendestroyedwhenthatlibraryhadburned.Serapismusthaveseenthehungerinhereyes.‘Yes.’Heextendedhishand.‘Enoughtalk,girl.Givememystaff!’‘You’reright,’Annabethcroaked.‘Enoughtalk.’
Shedrewherdaggerandplungeditintothemonster’sshell.
Somanythingscouldhavegonewrong.Mostofthemdid.Annabethwashopingtheknifewouldsplittheshell,maybeevendestroythe
monster.Instead,itopenedatinyfissurethatspewedredmagicashotasalineofmagma.Annabethstumbledback,hereyesstinging.Serapisbellowed,‘TREACHERY!’Thestaffcreaturehowledandthrashed,its
threeheadstryinginvaintoreachtheknifestuckinitsback.Atthesamemoment,Sadiecastherspell.Shethrewhersilvernecklaceand
yelled,‘Tyet!’Thependantexploded.Agiantsilveryhieroglyphenvelopedthegodlikea
see-throughcoffin:
Serapisroaredashisarmswerepinnedtohisside.Sadieshouted,‘InameyouSerapis,godofAlexandria!Godof…uh,funny
hatsandthree-headedstaffs!IbindyouwiththepowerofIsis!’Debrisbeganfallingoutoftheair,crashingaroundAnnabeth.Shedodgeda
brickwallandafusebox.ThenshenoticedthewoundedstaffmonstercrawlingtowardsSerapis.Shelungedinthatdirection,onlytogetsmackedintheheadbyafallingpiece
oftimber.Shehitthefloorhard,herskullthrobbing,andwasimmediatelyburiedinmoredebris.Shetookashakybreath.‘Ow,ow,ow.’Atleastshehadn’tbeenburiedinbricks.Shekickedherwayoutofapileof
plywoodandpluckedasix-inchsplinteroutofhershirt.ThemonsterhadmadeittoSerapis’sfeet.Annabethknewsheshouldhave
stabbedoneofthemonster’sheads,butshejustcouldn’tmakeherselfdoit.Shewasalwaysasoftiewhenitcametoanimals,eveniftheywerepartofamagicalevilcreaturetryingtokillher.Nowitwastoolate.
Thegodflexedhisconsiderablemuscles.Thesilveryprisonshatteredaroundhim.Thethree-headedstaffflewintohishand,andSerapisturnedonSadieKane.Herprotectivecircleevaporatedinacloudofredsteam.‘Youwouldbindme?’Serapiscried.‘Youwouldnameme?Youdonoteven
havetheproperlanguagetonameme,littlemagician!’Annabethstaggeredforward,butherbreathingwasshallow.NowthatSerapis
heldthestaff,hisaurafelttentimesmorepowerful.Annabeth’searsbuzzed.Heranklesturnedtomush.Shecouldfeelherlifeforcebeingdrainedaway–vacuumedintotheredhaloofthegod.Somehow,Sadiestoodherground,herexpressiondefiant.‘Right,LordCereal
Bowl.Youwantproperlanguage?HA-DI!’AnewhieroglyphblazedinSerapis’sface:
Butthegodswipeditoutoftheairwithhisfreehand.Heclosedhisfistandsmokeshotbetweenhisfingers,asifhe’djustcrushedaminiaturesteamengine.Sadiegulped.‘That’simpossible.How–’‘Expectinganexplosion?’Serapislaughed.‘Sorrytodisappointyou,child,
butmypowerisbothGreekandEgyptian.Itcombinesboth,consumesboth,replacesboth.YouarefavouredofIsis,Isee?Excellent.Shewasoncemywife.’‘What?’Sadiecried.‘No.No,no,no.’‘Oh,yes!WhenIdeposedbothOsirisandZeus,Isiswasforcedtoserveme.
NowIwilluseyouasagatewaytosummonherhereandbindher.Isiswillonceagainbemyqueen!’Serapisthrustouthisstaff.Fromeachofthethreemonstrousmouths,red
tendrilsoflightshotforth,encirclingSadielikethornybranches.Sadiescreamed,andAnnabethfinallyovercamehershock.Shegrabbedthenearestsheetofplywood–awobblysquareaboutthesizeof
ashield–andtriedtorememberherUltimateFrisbeelessonsfromCampHalf-
Blood.‘Hey,GrainHead!’sheyelled.Shetwistedfromthewaist,usingtheforceofherentirebody.Theplywood
sailedthroughtheairjustasSerapisturnedtolookather,andtheedgesmackedhimbetweentheeyes.‘GAH!’AnnabethdivedtoonesideasSerapisblindlythrusthisstaffinherdirection.
Thethreemonsterheadsblastedsuper-heatedplumesofvapour,meltingaholeintheconcretewhereAnnabethhadjustbeenstanding.Shekeptmoving,pickingherwaythroughmoundsofdebristhatnowlittered
thefloor.Shedivedbehindapileofbrokentoiletsasthegod’sstaffblastedanothertriplecolumnofsteaminherdirection,comingsoclosethatshefeltblistersriseonthebackofherneck.AnnabethspottedSadieaboutthirtyyardsaway,onherfeetandstaggering
awayfromSerapis.Atleastshewasstillalive.ButAnnabethknewshewouldneedtimetorecover.‘Hey,Serapis!’Annabethcalledfrombehindthemountainofcommodes.
‘Howdidthatplywoodtaste?’‘ChildofAthena!’thegodbellowed.‘Iwilldevouryourlifeforce!Iwilluse
youtodestroyyourwretchedmother!Youthinkyouarewise?Youarenothingcomparedtotheonewhoawakenedme,andevenhedoesnotunderstandthepowerhehasunleashed.Noneofyoushallgainthecrownofimmortality.Icontrolthepast,presentandfuture.Ialonewillrulethegods!’Andthankyouforthelongspeech,Annabeththought.BythetimeSerapisblastedherposition,turningthetoiletsintoaporcelain
slagheap,Annabethhadcrepthalfwayacrosstheroom.ShewassearchingforSadiewhenthemagicianpoppedupfromherhiding
place,onlytenfeetaway,andshouted:‘Suh-FAH!’Annabethturnedasanewhieroglyph,twentyfeettall,blazedonthewall
behindSerapis:
Mortardisintegrated.Thesideofthebuildinggroaned,andasSerapisscreamed,‘NO!’theentirewallcollapsedontopofhiminabricktidalwave,buryinghimunderathousandtonsofwreckage.Annabethchokedonacloudofdust.Hereyesstung.Shefeltasifshe’dbeen
parboiledinaricecooker,butshestumbledtoSadie’sside.Theyoungmagicianwascoveredinlimepowderasifshe’dbeenrolledin
sugar.Shestaredatthegapingholeshe’dmadeinthesideofthebuilding.‘Thatworked,’shemuttered.‘Itwasgenius.’Annabethsqueezedhershoulders.‘Whatspellwasthat?’‘Loosen,’Sadiesaid.‘Ireckoned…well,makingthingsfallapartisusually
easierthanputtingthemtogether.’Asifinagreement,theremainingshellofthebuildingcreakedandrumbled.‘Comeon.’AnnabethtookSadie’shand.‘Weneedtogetoutofhere.These
walls–’Thefoundationsshook.Frombeneaththerubblecameamuffledroar.Shafts
ofredlightshotfromgapsinthedebris.‘Oh,please!’Sadieprotested.‘He’sstillalive?’Annabeth’sheartsank,butshewasn’tsurprised.‘He’sagod.He’simmortal.’‘Well,thenhow–?’Serapis’shand,stillclutchinghisstaff,thrustthroughthebricksandboards.
Themonster’sthreeheadsblastedshaftsofsteaminalldirections.Annabeth’skniferemainedhilt-deepinthemonster’sshell,thescarrounditventingred-hothieroglyphs,GreeklettersandEnglishcursewords–thousandsofyearsofbadlanguagespillingfree.Likeatimeline,Annabeththought.Suddenlyanideaclickedinhermind.‘Past,presentandfuture.Hecontrols
themall.’‘What?’Sadieasked.‘Thestaffisthekey,’Annabethsaid.‘Wehavetodestroyit.’
‘Yes,but–’Annabethsprintedtowardsthepileofrubble.Hereyeswerefixedonthehilt
ofherdagger,butshewastoolate.Serapis’sotherarmbrokefree,thenhishead,hisflower-baskethatcrushed
andleakinggrain.Annabeth’splywoodFrisbeehadbrokenhisnoseandblackenedhiseyes,leavingamasklikearaccoon’s.‘Killyou!’hebellowed,justasSadieyelledanencore:‘Suh-FAH!’Annabethbeatahastyretreat,andSerapisscreamed,‘NO!’asanotherthirty-
storeysectionofwallcollapsedontopofhim.ThemagicmusthavebeentoomuchforSadie.Shecrumpledlikearagdoll,
andAnnabethcaughtherjustbeforeherheadhittheground.Astheremainingsectionsofwallshudderedandleanedinward,Annabethscoopeduptheyoungergirlandcarriedheroutside.Somehowsheclearedthebuildingbeforetherestofitcollapsed.Annabeth
heardthetremendousroar,butshewasn’tsureifitwasthedevastationbehindherorthesoundofherownskullsplittingfrompainandexhaustion.Shestaggeredonuntilshereachedthesubwaytracks.ShesetSadiedown
gentlyintheweeds.Sadie’seyesrolledbackinherhead.Shemutteredincoherently.Herskinfelt
sofeverishthatAnnabethhadtofightdownasenseofpanic.Steamrosefromthemagician’ssleeves.Overbythetrainwreck,themortalshadnoticedthenewdisaster.Emergency
vehicleswerepeelingaway,headingforthecollapsedapartmentbuilding.Anewshelicoptercircledoverhead.Annabethwastemptedtoyellformedicalhelp,but,beforeshecould,Sadie
inhaledsharply.Hereyelidsfluttered.Shespatachipofconcreteoutofhermouth,satupweaklyandstaredatthe
columnofdustchurningintotheskyfromtheirlittleadventure.‘Right,’Sadiemuttered.‘Whatshouldwedestroynext?’Annabethsobbedwithrelief.‘Thankthegodsyou’reokay.Youwereliterally
steaming.’‘Hazardofthetrade.’Sadiebrushedsomedustoffherface.‘Toomuchmagic
andIcanliterallyburnup.That’saboutasclosetoself-immolationasI’dliketocometoday.’
Annabethnodded.She’dbeenjealousofallthosecoolspellsSadiecouldcast,butnowshewasgladtobejustademigod.‘Nomoremagicforyou.’‘Notforawhile.’Sadiegrimaced.‘Idon’tsupposeSerapisisdefeated?’Annabethgazedtowardsthesiteofthewould-belighthouse.Shewantedto
thinkthegodwasgone,butsheknewbetter.Shecouldstillfeelhisauradisruptingtheworld,pullingathersoulanddrainingherenergy.‘We’vegotafewminutesatbest,’sheguessed.‘He’llworkhiswayfree.
Thenhe’llcomeafterus.’Sadiegroaned.‘Weneedreinforcements.Sadly,Idon’thaveenoughenergyto
openaportal,evenifIcouldfindone.Isisisn’trespondingtome,either.SheknowsbetterthantoshowupandhaveheressenceabsorbedbyLordCerealBowl.’Shesighed.‘Idon’tsupposeyouhaveanyotherdemigodsonspeeddial?’‘Ifonly…’Annabethfaltered.Sherealizedherownbackpackwasstillonhershoulder.Howhaditnot
slippedoffduringthefight?Andwhydiditfeelsolight?Sheunslungthepackandopenedthetop.Thearchitecturebooksweregone.
Instead,nestledatthebottomwasabrownie-sizedsquareofambrosiawrappedincellophane,andunderthat…Annabeth’slowerliptrembled.Shepulledoutsomethingshehadn’tcarried
withherinalongtime:herbatteredblueNewYorkYankeescap.Sheglancedupatthedarkeningsky.‘Mom?’Noreply,butAnnabethcouldn’tthinkofanyotherexplanation.Hermother
hadsentherhelp.Therealizationbothencouragedandterrifiedher.IfAthenawastakingapersonalinterestinthissituation,Serapistrulywasamonumentalthreat–notjusttoAnnabethbuttothegods.‘It’sabaseballcap,’Sadienoted.‘Isthatgood?’‘I–Ithinkso,’Annabethsaid.‘ThelasttimeIworeit,themagicdidn’twork.
Butifitdoes…Imighthaveaplan.It’llbeyourturntokeepSerapisdistracted.’Sadiefrowned.‘DidImentionI’moutofmagic?’‘That’sokay,’Annabethsaid.‘Howareyouatbluffing,lyingandtrash-
talking?’
Sadieraisedaneyebrow.‘I’vebeentoldthosearemymostattractivequalities.’‘Excellent,’Annabethsaid.‘Thenit’stimeItaughtyousomeGreek.’
Theydidn’thavelong.AnnabethhadbarelyfinishedcoachingSadiewhentheruinedbuildingshook,
debrisexplodedoutward,andSerapisemerged,roaringandcursing.Startledemergencyworkersscatteredfromthescene,buttheydidn’tseemto
noticethefifteen-foot-tallgodmarchingawayfromthewreckage,histhree-headedstaffspewingsteamandredbeamsofmagicintothesky.SerapisheadedstraightinSadieandAnnabeth’sdirection.‘Ready?’Annabethasked.Sadieexhaled.‘DoIhaveachoice?’‘Here.’Annabethgaveherthesquareofambrosia.‘Demigodfood.Itmight
restoreyourstrength.’‘Might,eh?’‘IfIcanuseyourhealingpotion,youshouldbeabletoeatambrosia.’‘Cheers,then.’Sadietookabite.Colourreturnedtohercheeks.Hereyes
brightened.‘Tasteslikemygran’sscones.’Annabethsmiled.‘Ambrosiaalwaystasteslikeyourfavouritecomfortfood.’‘That’sashame.’Sadietookanotherbiteandswallowed.‘Gran’ssconesare
alwaysburntandratherhorrid.Ah–herecomesourfriend.’Serapiskickedafireengineoutofhiswayandlumberedtowardsthetrain
tracks.Hedidn’tseemtohavespottedSadieandAnnabethyet,butAnnabethguessedhecouldsensethem.Hescannedthehorizon,hisexpressionfullofmurderousrage.‘Herewego.’AnnabethdonnedherYankeescap.Sadie’seyeswidened.‘Welldone.You’requiteinvisible.Youwon’tstart
shootingsparks,willyou?’‘WhywouldIdothat?’‘Oh…mybrothercastaninvisibilityspellonce.Didn’tworkoutsowell.
Anyway,goodluck.’‘You,too.’
AnnabethdashedtoonesideasSadiewavedherarmsandyelled,‘Oi,Serapis!’‘DEATHTOYOU!’thegodbellowed.Hebarrelledforward,hismassivefeetmakingcratersinthetarmac.Asthey’dplanned,Sadiebackedtowardsthebeach.Annabethcrouched
behindanabandonedcarandwaitedforSerapistopass.Invisibleornot,shewasn’tgoingtotakeanychances.‘Comeon!’Sadietauntedthegod.‘Isthatthefastestyoucanrun,you
overgrownvillageidiot?’‘RAR!’ThegodchargedpastAnnabeth’sposition.SheranafterSerapis,whocaughtupwithSadieattheedgeofthesurf.Thegodraisedhisglowingstaff,allthreemonstrousheadsbelchingsteam.
‘Anylastwords,magician?’‘Foryou?Yes!’Sadiewhirledherarmsinmovementsthatcould’vebeen
magic–orpossiblykungfu.‘Meanaaedeithea!’ShechantedthelinesAnnabethhadtaughther.‘En…
pontepathenalgae!’Annabethwinced.Sadie’spronunciationwasprettybad.She’dgotthefirst
lineright,moreorless:Singofrage,Ogoddess.Butthesecondlineshould’vebeen:Inthesea,suffermisery.Instead,Sadiehadsaidsomethinglike:Inthesea,suffermoss!Fortunately,thesoundofAncientGreekwasenoughtoshockSerapis.The
godwavered,histhree-headedstaffstillraised.‘Whatareyou–’‘Isis,hearme!’Sadiecontinued.‘Athena,tomyaid!’Sherattledoffsome
morephrases–someGreek,someAncientEgyptian.Meanwhile,Annabethsneakedupbehindthegod,hereyesonthedaggerstill
impaledinthemonster’sshell.IfSerapiswouldjustlowerhisstaff…‘Alpha,beta,gamma!’Sadiecried.‘Gyros,spanakopita.Presto!’Shebeamed
intriumph.‘There.You’redonefor!’Serapisstaredather,clearlybaffled.Theredtattoosonhisskindimmed.A
fewofthesymbolsturnedintoquestionmarksandsadfaces.Annabethcreptcloser…twentyfeetfromhimnow.‘Donefor?’Serapisasked.‘Whatonearthareyoutalkingabout,girl?I’m
abouttodestroyyou.’
‘Andifyoudo,’Sadiewarned,‘youwillactivatethedeathlinkthatsendsyoutooblivion!’‘Deathlink?Thereisnosuchthing!’Serapisloweredhisstaff.Thethree
animalheadswerelevelwithAnnabeth’seyes.Herheartpounded.Tenfeettogo.Then,ifshejumped,shemightbeableto
reachthedagger.She’donlyhaveonechancetopullitout.Theheadsofthestaffdidn’tseemtonoticeher.Theysnarledandsnapped,
spittingsteaminrandomdirections.Wolf,lion,dog–past,presentandfuture.Todomaximumdamage,sheknewwhichheadshehadtostrike.Butwhydidthefuturehavetobeadog?ThatblackLabradorwastheleast
threateningofthemonsterheads.Withitsbiggoldeyesandfloppyears,itremindedAnnabethoftoomanyfriendlypetsshe’dknown.It’snotarealanimal,shetoldherself.It’spartofamagicalstaff.But,asshegotwithinstrikingdistance,herarmsgrewheavy.Shecouldn’t
lookatthedogwithoutfeelingguilty.Thefutureisagoodthing,thedogseemedtosay.It’scuteandfuzzy!IfAnnabethstruckattheLabrador’shead,whatifshekilledherownfuture–
theplansshehadforcollege,theplansshe’dmadewithPercy…?Sadiewasstilltalking.Hertonehadtakenonaharderedge.‘Mymother,RubyKane,’SadietoldSerapis,‘shegaveherlifetoseal
ApophisintheDuat.Apophis,mindyou–whoisthousandsofyearsolderthanyouandmuchmorepowerful.SoifyouthinkI’mgoingtoletasecond-rategodtakeovertheworld,thinkagain!’Theangerinhervoicewasnomerebluff,andsuddenlyAnnabethwasglad
she’dgivenSadiethejoboffacingdownSerapis.Themagicianwassurprisinglyterrifyingwhenshewantedtobe.Serapisshiftedhisweightuneasily.‘Iwilldestroyyou!’‘Goodluck,’Sadiesaid.‘I’veboundyouwithGreekandEgyptianspellsso
powerfultheywillscatteryouratomstothestars.’‘Youlie!’Serapisyelled.‘Ifeelnospelluponme.Eventheonewho
summonedmehadnosuchmagic.’Annabethwasfacetofacewiththeblackdog.Thedaggerwasjustoverhead,
buteverymoleculeinherbodyrebelledattheideaofkillingtheanimal…killingthefuture.
Meanwhile,Sadiemanagedabravelaugh.‘Theonewhosummonedyou?YoumeanthatoldconartistSetne?’Annabethdidn’tknowthename,butSerapisobviouslydid.Theairaround
himrippledwithheat.Thelionsnarled.Thewolfbareditsteeth.‘Oh,yes,’Sadiecontinued.‘I’mveryfamiliarwithSetne.Isupposehedidn’t
tellyouwholethimbackintotheworld.He’sonlyalivebecauseIsparedhim.Youthinkhismagicispowerful?Tryme.DoitNOW.’Annabethstirred.SherealizedSadiewastalkingtoher,notthegod.Thebluff
wasgettingold.Shewasoutoftime.Serapissneered.‘Nicetry,magician.’Asheraisedhisstafftostrike,Annabethjumped.Herhandclosedroundthe
hiltofthedagger,andshepulleditfree.‘What?’Serapiscried.Annabethletlooseagutturalsobandplungedherdaggerintothedog’sneck.
Sheexpectedanexplosion.Instead,thedaggerwassuckedintothedog’snecklikeapaperclipintoa
vacuumcleaner.Annabethbarelyhadtimetoletgo.Sherolledfreeasthedoghowled,shrinkingandshrivellinguntilitimploded
intothemonster’sshell.Serapisroared.Heshookhissceptrebuthecouldn’tseemtoletgoofit.‘Whathaveyoudone?’hecried.‘Takenyourfuture,’Annabethsaid.‘Withoutthat,you’renothing.’Thestaffcrackedopen.ItgrewsohotthatAnnabethfeltthehairsonherarms
starttoburn.Shecrawledbackwardsthroughthesandasthelionandwolfheadsweresuckedintotheshell.Theentirestaffcollapsedintoaredfireballinthegod’spalm.Serapistriedtoshakeitoff.Itonlyglowedbrighter.Hisfingerscurledinward.
Hishandwasconsumed.Hisentirearmcontractedandvaporizedasitwasdrawnintothefierysphere.‘Icannotbedestroyed!’Serapisyelled.‘Iamthepinnacleofyourworlds
combined!Withoutmyguidance,youwillneverattainthecrown!Youallshallperish!Youshall–’
Thefireballflaredandsuckedthegodintoitsvortex.Thenitwinkedoutasifithadneverexisted.
‘Ugh,’Sadiesaid.Theysatonthebeachatsunset,watchingthetideandlisteningtothewailof
emergencyvehiclesbehindthem.PoorRockaway.Firstahurricane.Thenatrainwreck,abuildingcollapseand
arampaginggodallinoneday.Somecommunitiesnevercatchabreak.AnnabethsippedherRibena–aBritishdrinkthatSadiehadsummonedfrom
her‘personalstoragearea’intheDuat.‘Don’tworry,’Sadieassuredher.‘Summoningsnacksisn’thardmagic.’AsthirstyasAnnabethwas,theRibenatastedevenbetterthannectar.Sadieseemedtobeonthemend.Theambrosiahaddoneitswork.Now,rather
thanlookingasifshewasatdeath’sdoor,shemerelylookedasifshe’dbeenrunoverbyapackofmules.ThewaveslappedatAnnabeth’sfeet,helpingherrelax,butstillshefelta
residualdisquietfromherencounterwithSerapis–ahumminginherbody,asifallherboneshadbecometuningforks.‘Youmentionedaname,’sherecalled.‘Setne?’Sadiewrinkledhernose.‘Longstory.Evilmagician,backfromthedead.’‘Oh,Ihateitwhenevilpeoplecomebackfromthedead.Yousaid…you
allowedhimtogofree?’‘Well,mybrotherandIneededhishelp.Atthetime,wedidn’thavemuch
choice.Atanyrate,SetneescapedwiththeBookofThoth,themostdangerouscollectionofspellsintheworld.’‘AndSetneusedthatmagictoawakenSerapis.’‘Standstoreason.’Sadieshrugged.‘Thecrocodilemonstermybrotherand
yourboyfriendfoughtawhileago,theSonofSobek…Iwouldn’tbesurprisedifthatwasanotherofSetne’sexperiments.He’stryingtocombineGreekandEgyptianmagic.’Afterthedayshe’djusthad,Annabethwantedtoputherinvisibilitycapback
on,crawlintoaholeandsleepforever.She’dsavedtheworldenoughtimesalready.Shedidn’twanttothinkaboutanotherpotentialthreat.Yetshecouldn’t
ignoreit.ShefingeredthebrimofherYankeescapandthoughtaboutwhyhermotherhadgivenitbacktohertoday–itsmagicrestored.Athenaseemedtobesendingamessage:Therewillalwaysbethreatstoo
powerfultofacehead-on.Youarenotdonewithstealth.Youmusttreadcarefullyhere.‘Setnewantstobeagod,’Annabethsaid.Thewindoffthewatersuddenlyturnedcold.Itsmelledlesslikefreshseaair,
morelikeburningruins.‘Agod…’Sadieshuddered.‘Thatscrawnyoldcodgerwiththeloinclothand
Elvishair.Whatahorriblethought.’AnnabethtriedtopicturetheguySadiewasdescribing.Thenshedecidedshe
didn’twantto.‘IfSetne’sgoalisimmortality,’Annabethsaid,‘wakingSerapiswon’tbehis
lasttrick.’Sadielaughedwithouthumour.‘Oh,no.He’sonlyplayingwithusnow.The
SonofSobek…Serapis.I’dwagerthatSetneplannedbotheventsjusttoseewhatwouldhappen,howthedemigodsandmagicianswouldreact.He’stestinghisnewmagic,andourcapabilities,beforehemakeshisrealbidforpower.’‘Hecan’tsucceed,’Annabethsaidhopefully.‘Noonecanmakethemselvesa
godjustbycastingaspell.’Sadie’sexpressionwasn’treassuring.‘Ihopeyou’reright.Becauseagodwho
knowsbothGreekandEgyptianmagic,whocancontrolbothworlds…Ican’tevenimagine.’Annabeth’sstomachtwistedasifitwerelearninganewyogaposition.Inany
war,goodplanningwasmoreimportantthansheerpower.IfthisSetnehadorchestratedPercyandCarter’sbattlewiththatcrocodile,ifhe’dengineeredSerapis’srisesoSadieandAnnabethwouldbedrawntoconfronthim…Anenemywhoplannedsowellwouldbeveryhardtostop.Shedughertoesintothesand.‘Serapissaidsomethingelsebeforehe
disappeared–youwillneverattainthecrown.Ithoughthemeantitlikeametaphor.ThenIrememberedwhathesaidaboutPtolemyI,thekingwhotriedtobecomeagod–’‘Thecrownofimmortality,’Sadierecalled.‘Maybeapschent.’Annabethfrowned.‘Idon’tknowthatword.Ashent?’
Sadiespelledit.‘AnEgyptiancrown,looksratherlikeabowlingpin.Notalovelyfashionstatement,butthepschentinvestedthepharaohwithhisdivinepower.IfSetneistryingtore-createtheoldking’sgod-makingmagic,IbetfivequidandaplateofGran’sburntsconesthathe’stryingtofindthecrownofPtolemy.’Annabethdecidednottotakethatbet.‘Wehavetostophim.’‘Right.’SadiesippedherRibena.‘I’llgobacktoBrooklynHouse.AfterI
smackmybrotherfornotconfidinginmeaboutyoudemigodtypes,I’llputourresearcherstoworkandseewhatwecanlearnaboutPtolemy.Perhapshiscrownissittinginamuseumsomewhere.’Sadiecurledherlip.‘ThoughIdohatemuseums.’Annabethtracedherfingerthroughthesand.Withoutreallythinkingaboutit,
shedrewthehieroglyphicsymbolforIsis:thetyet.‘I’lldosomeresearch,too.MyfriendsintheHecatecabinmayknowsomethingaboutPtolemy’smagic.MaybeIcangetmymomtoadviseme.’Thinkingabouthermothermadeheruneasy.Today,SerapishadbeenonthevergeofdestroyingbothAnnabethandSadie.
He’dthreatenedtousethemasgatewaystodrawAthenaandIsistotheirdoom.Sadie’seyeswerestormy,asifshewerethinkingthesamethoughts.‘Wecan’t
letSetnekeepexperimenting.He’llripourworldsapart.Wehavetofindthiscrown,or–’Sheglancedintotheskyandhervoicefaltered.‘Ah,myrideishere.’Annabethturned.ForamomentshethoughttheArgoIIwasdescendingfrom
theclouds,butthiswasadifferentkindofflyingboat–asmallerEgyptianreedbarquewithpaintedeyesontheprowandasinglewhitesailemblazonedwiththetyetsymbol.Itsettledgentlyattheedgeofthesurf.Sadieroseandbrushedthesandoffhertrousers.‘Giveyoualifthome?’AnnabethtriedtoimagineaboatlikethissailingintoCampHalf-Blood.‘Um,
it’sokay.Icanmakeitback.’‘Suityourself.’Sadieshoulderedherpack,thenhelpedAnnabethup.‘Yousay
Carterdrewahieroglyphonyourboyfriend’shand.Allwellandgood,butI’dratherstayintouchwithyoudirectly.’Annabethsmirked.‘You’reright.Can’ttrustboystocommunicate.’
Theyexchangedcell-phonenumbers.‘Justdon’tcallunlessit’surgent,’Annabethwarned.‘Cell-phoneactivity
attractsmonsters.’Sadielookedsurprised.‘Really?Nevernoticed.IsupposeIshouldn’tsend
youanyfunny-faceselfiesonInstagram,then.’‘Probablynot.’‘Well,untilnexttime.’SadiethrewherarmsroundAnnabeth.Annabethwasalittleshockedtobegettingahugfromagirlshe’djustmet–
agirlwhocouldjustaseasilyhaveseenAnnabethasanenemy.Butthegesturemadeherfeelgood.Inlife-and-deathsituations,Annabethhadlearned,youcouldmakefriendsprettyquickly.ShepattedSadie’sshoulder.‘Staysafe.’‘Hardlyever.’Sadieclimbedinherboat,anditpushedouttosea.Fogroseout
ofnowhere,thickeningaroundthevessel.Whenthemistcleared,theshipandSadieKaneweregone.Annabethstaredattheemptyocean.ShethoughtabouttheMistandtheDuat
andhowtheywereconnected.MostlyshethoughtaboutthestaffofSerapis,andthehowltheblackdoghad
madewhenshe’dstabbeditwithherdagger.‘Thatwasn’tmyfutureIdestroyed,’sheassuredherself.‘Imakemyown
future.’ButsomewhereoutthereamagiciannamedSetnehadotherideas.If
Annabethwasgoingtostophim,shehadplanningtodo.Sheturnedandsetoutacrossthebeach,headingeastonthelongjourneyback
toCampHalf-Blood.
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FirstpublishedintheUSAbyDisneyoHyperionBooks,animprintofDisneyBookGroup,2014PublishedsimultaneouslyinGreatBritainasanelectroniceditionbyPuffinBooks2014
Textcopyright©RickRiordan,2014HieroglyphartbyMichelleGengaro-KokmenAllrightsreserved
Themoralrightoftheauthorandillustratorhasbeenasserted
ISBN:978-0-14-135543-6
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